First bitcoin swap agreement finalized

SUMMIT, N.J., March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Tera Group, Inc. ("Tera") announced the availability of the first bilateral bitcoin swap agreement. The legal framework now allows two parties to hedge price risk (volatility) of bitcoin using standardized terms. It is a landmark event for the growing bitcoin community that is looking for ways to better manage the risk of fluctuations in the value of bitcoin. Tera has already constructed the terms for a planned multi-million dollar swap between two US institutions, which would hedge the value of bitcoin against US dollars.

"The use of a bitcoin swap is an inflection point in the evolution of crypto-currency," said Tera CEO and co-founder Christian Martin. "There is incredible momentum and support behind this alternative global currency. But even with all this excitement it is critical that the market participants have tools at their disposal to hedge their price risk." In a typical example, the swap will be used by a seller to protect itself from the price risk of bitcoin accepted in a commercial transaction. 

Under the terms of the non-deliverable forward swap agreement, institutions can complete a transaction at a specified bitcoin exchange rate against any currency and hedge the exchange rate for a specified period of time.  For the planned initial transaction the parties are seeking to hedge the exchange rate for 25 days. Although this type of transaction is unregulated, Tera is actively seeking permission from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") to offer a similar swap instrument for trading on a regulated marketplace.

"The infrastructure and regulatory protocols already exist in the conventional OTC swaps markets to support these hedging instruments," said Tera President and co-founder Leonard T. Nuara.  "Regulatory approval is crucial to the long-term growth of the market utilizing bitcoin."  Subject to regulatory approvals, Tera plans to make bitcoin swaps available to eligible contract participants on TeraExchange, a CFTC-regulated swap execution facility (SEF) established pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act.

Tera Group, Inc. which is comprised of TeraExchange, LLC and Tera Advanced Technologies, LLC, is a global pioneer in the derivatives marketplace.  

About Tera Group, Inc.
Tera Group, Inc. which is comprised of TeraExchange, LLC and Tera Advanced Technologies, LLC, is a global pioneer in the derivatives marketplace.  TeraExchange is a U.S. based swap execution facility that received temporary registration from the CFTC in September 2013.  It provides market participants with access to interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, and FX cash-settled and non-deliverable forwards. Tera Advanced Technologies offers licensable innovative technology solutions to the global financial services community, including TeraExchange.

SOURCE Tera Group, Inc.